Reviews:
Hissing Mist – He, he of course he isn't. He just very much likes to pretend he is. Yes I'm not surprised you like Leafgaze better and so does Hazelpaw. And now Leafgaze could very much be the one to get Falconflight out of trouble when he does something rather mouse brained. She rather keeps him in line I think ;.) Thank you so much and hope you enjoy!
AwesomeIvystar – I'm glad you think everything about Whitefur's actual occupation makes sense and that there was enough instances which point to it. Those which you listed were all pretty much spot on (and you even remember chap 2 when white and falcon seemed a tad sceptical of spider's story). Don't want to spoil too much, but I will try and tie up everything best as I can, I just hope readers like how everything ends up. And as for Oakbranch and Ravenwhisker, well Raven has always been more of a grouchy, sharp personality and Oak more gentle. They are both extremely stubborn however, but maybe Raven will learn to be more courteous especially towards Hazelpaw….and perhaps that's not too far away. Hope you enjoy!
Epilogue - He Payed
Mudpaw was taken away early the next morning.
Hazelpaw and Daisypaw watched out the clearstone-less whole in their den as the young tom was led out of the nest and onto the grassy hill just before dawn. And although the cardinal bush maze, the grassy hill and the cardinal forest looked the same as ever, the whole world felt very different to Hazelpaw.
She knew he was going to pay for all that he'd done and tried to do. Mudpaw was no longer a PineClan cat. He would never get his full warrior name and may not even be considered a clan cat at all anymore as he was kept prisoner in a den within the Clan Guard's camp. And yet that was still a best case scenario.
Hazelpaw knew he would pay, but she still couldn't help having mixed feelings about it. The grey she cat knew the sort of thing that often awaited warrior criminals at the end of Court of the Clans….and even after everything Mudpaw had done, she truly hoped it wouldn't come to that.
As Hazelpaw watched the white form of her former friend slowly fade into the treeline of the pine forest, she felt Daisypaw wrap her tail around her shoulders and squeeze her tight. When Hazelpaw turned to look she saw a furious spark in her friend's blue eyes.
"He shouldn't have thought he'd get away with it," the cream she cat said.
"He nearly did," Hazelpaw pointed out.
Daisypaw's tailed twitched and a low growl came from her throat. "What he was going to do to Sparrowfeather!" Said the cream she cat furiously. "What he did to you!"
He didn't do anything to me," said Hazelpaw quickly. She felt her ears start to burn, but from anger or embarrassment the grey she cat wasn't sure. "What about Eaglepaw?"
Daisypaw let out a sigh at the mention of her brother. "He hasn't been down from his den since yesterday. He hasn't even been playing around with that cricket of his, so I know it's bad."
"They were best friends." Said Hazelpaw empathetically. She knew whatever she felt from being betrayed by Mudpaw would be increased tenfold for Eaglepaw. "I mean, if toms even have best friends that is. Imagine having your best friend go and trick you like that!"
"Well I never would." Promised Daisypaw solemnly as she gave Hazelpaw's shoulder another squeeze with her tail. "And I should think you would notice if I tried to anyway. You are far cleverer than Eaglepaw is."
But Hazelpaw didn't feel very clever, then. She couldn't feel much of anything. Her thoughts were all in a tangle. Mudpaw had nearly gotten away with it. The two young detectives had only just solved the case by the oddest, rarest chance - a few moments more, and it would have been Sparrowfeather being escorted out to the Clan Guard camp.
Hazelpaw blew out a shaky sigh, trying to remind herself that that didn't happen; the case and all the drama was finally over.
But at the moment, more than anything, Hazelpaw wished she had never, ever come to Cardinal Nest.
….
It was then time for Falconflight and Whitefur to finally leave as well since the case and their original mission was all wrapped up. Falconflight was heading straight back to camp to report to Dovestar, but Whitefur was leaving PineClan altogether, jumping straight into another mission.
Hazelpaw wasn't all that surprised although she still couldn't help feeling disappointed that the strange and mysterious come friendly and kind white she cat wouldn't be mentoring them anymore. Nor would they get the chance to get to know her better now that they knew who she really was.
As Hazelpaw climbed down the stairs to meet the two warriors and bid Whitefur farewell, the grey she cat could tell by Daisypaw's frown and her scrunched up, wrinkled nose that she felt the same.
"Are we ever going to see you again?" The cream she cat asked Whitefur.
"Well, I don't see how you couldn't. You do seem to have a habit in getting mixed up in this sort of business." The white she cat said, green eyes glimmering teasingly. "StarClan willing, I wouldn't be surprised if we bumped into each other once again in the very near future."
"Yes, very true." Said Falconflight with a twitch of his whiskers.
Hazelpaw suddenly gave a start as she caught a flash of brown and black from a nearby alder bush out the corner of her eye. The grey she cat stared hard at the bush, face frowning with confusion, before focusing once more on what Falconflight was saying.
The yellow tabby was looking towards Whitefur. "Well Leafgaze, first I shall pop in to camp to announce my presence and then I shall walk you to wherever you are needed next. Meanwhile, what are we going to do with you, young tom?"
Confused, Hazelpaw turned to that same alder bush which Falconflight was now eyeing up. A sheepish and coy Haze then slunk out from behind.
Falconflight sighed. "You agreed to our terms." He said sternly to the dark pelted tom. "And we agreed to yours. That, as repayment for your witness, we would not launch any counter attacks on your group after you assured us that your new cat in charge wouldn't be interested in more attacks. So why for StarClan's sake are you back here?"
The rogue tom shuffled his paws and ducked his head beneath Flaconflight's gaze. "I..I..I know that but.." Haze lifted his head. "Look, I just wanted to say goodbye!" The tortoiseshell blurted out.
There was a pause as Falconflight exchanged a glance with Whitefur before letting out a thoughtful hum.
"Very well." He said at last. Don't take too long though and then we'll be escorting you straight off the territory. Do not. Come. Back."
"Yes sir." Haze replied, before happily trotting up to the two young she cats.
"So. You got your guy in the end. Did I help, or did I help?" Spoke the tortoiseshell tom with a grin.
Hazelpaw heard Daisypaw give a slight snicker, and even though the indirect mention of Mudpaw made her chest feel tight, the grey she cat twitched her whiskers in amusement as well.
"You were quite helpful after all I suppose." Conceded Daisypaw with a lofty flick of her tail. "For a rogue that is."
Hazelpaw rolled her eyes. "You couldn't have had better timing when you showed up last sun-up while we were presenting our evidence. You could have just run off but you still came!"
"Hey! What do you take me for? Said Haze with a mock huff of indignation. "I'm no rat or coward. Anything, for my two lovely ladies." The tom gave them a cheeky wink.
Daisypaw grumbled something angrily under her breath while Hazelpaw snorted and grinned.
Typical Haze.
"You do realise that you are exactly one heartbeat away from having my claws across your face." Threatened Daisypaw. "Choose your next words carefully."
"Duly noted." Said Haze sitting up straight. There was a pause as the rogue tom shuffled his paws self-consciously before lifting his amber gaze to meet the two young she cats' and opening his mouth to speak.
"Look, I don't know if I'll get to see you guys again but….I just want to say it was really nice to meet you two, even if it wasn't under the best circumstances. You two are a couple of cool she cats and the clawing was totally worth it to get to know you. And I'm so glad I was able to help. I..I hope it can make it up a bit for all the other trouble my group has caused..."
Hazelpaw blinked, touched by the rogue's earnest and hopeful gaze. "Of course it definitely has. More than enough." Assured the grey she cat with a smile. "Thank you so much Haze for your help. We couldn't have solved the mystery without you. And you went above and beyond to even get us extra information at your own risk which turned out to be crucial." Hazelpaw blinked her brown eyes gratefully at the tortoiseshell tom. "Thank you Haze, for everything."
Haze grinned widely before dipping his head sincerely to the grey she cat. "You're welcome," he whispered, before looking towards Daisypaw with big, round, hopeful amber eyes.
The cream she cat sighed and shook her head, the side of her lips curling up in a half grin.
"Alright, yes. Hazelpaw is absolutely correct, as usual." The detective cleared her throat.
"Thank you very much for your help." Said Daisypaw before adding a couple of heartbeats later, "Haze."
The rogue tom's amber eyes lit up with joy and triumphant. "YES! I knew it! You are grateful! I did help you. You thanked me!" He cried as he leaped around and did a peculiar little jig in a circle.
"She thanked me, she thanked me, she thanked me. I helped. She thanked me, she thanked me, she thanked me! I helped. They both thanked me! I HELPED!" Sang Haze as he goofily bounced around excitedly.
Daisypaw rolled her blue eyes. "Yeah, yeah, don't flatter yourself. It was really pure convenience more than anything. Hazelpaw and I would have figured it out in the end on our own, and copped if we hadn't enlisted your testimony or witness!" She called back to Haze, but the tortoiseshell rogue wasn't listening.
"She thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, they thanked me, she thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, I-"
"Okay, yes that's quite enough." Cut in Falconflight at last. "I think we all get the idea. Time to go."
"Oh, okay." Said Haze as he froze in his bounding around before padding obediently over to the yellow tabby's side.
"Ya know, you're not nearly as scary or daunting as the stories or Spiderstreak made you out to be." The dark tortoiseshell informed Falconflight. "You're actually quite reasonable...for a clan cat."
Daisypaw gave a snorted chuckle and Whitefur smirked. "Yes of course. He's really just a big softie underneath." The white warrior teased.
Falconflight eyed up the tom ambivalently before giving a slight cough. "Right. Well. Good to know I suppose."
The yellow tom cleared his throat. "Shall we be off then? I'll see you back at camp, girls."
After a nod from Whitefur, the three cats began to head off back towards the pine forest, Haze still singing and happily bouncing all the way.
"She thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, I helped! She thanked me, she thanked me, I helped! You hear that everybody?!" Haze cried out to the sky.
"Daisypaw of PineClan said I helped her and her friend Hazelpaw catch a bad guy! Yahoo! Yeah, uh huh, and guess who did that? This little rogue right here! That's right! This little rogue right here! This little rogue right here! This little rogue right here! This little rogue, this little rogue, this little rogue right here.."
The she cat detectives waved their tails in goodbye as the trio disappeared into the treeline and Haze's triumphant calls faded into the distance.
Hazelpaw noticed her friend glance at her, her blue eyes glittering mischievously. "Want to bet a moon's worth of dawn patrols that if Haze doesn't shut that jaw of his, that he shall be the next to end up completely dead and buried? Courtesy of Falconflight."
"Daisypaw." Groaned Hazelpaw. She didn't really appreciate the rather dark and morbid sounding joke under the circumstances. "Your uncle wouldn't. We sort of proved that. And if not anything else, he would certainly be putting his...other occupation at risk if he did."
Daisypaw snorted. "But of course Falconflight is clever enough to do something like that and manage not to get caught unlike all the other complete mousebrains we've captured."
"DAISYPAW!"
"Alright, alright. I was only joking anyway. Of course Falconflight is not a murderer...yet. But Whitefur is sure to keep him in line."
Hazelpaw let out an annoyed huff, tail tip twitching irritably. Typical Daisypaw comfort was not at all comforting in the slightest.
Meanwhile, the cream she cat let out a soft hum before nudging Hazelpaw gently with her nose. "You're right, I'm sorry." She whispered, licking one of Hazelpaw's ears. "Come on, let's head back inside and see how Sparrowfeather is getting on."
Hazelpaw nodded, lips turning up slightly in a small smile, before padding after her friend. But just before the entrance, she paused and glanced back at the rising golden sun behind her, her thoughts returning back to Mudpaw once more.
I don't know if I could manage another betrayal in our clan. I really hope, to StarClan and back, that there are no more of these incidents. I know I'm a detective and love detecting, but I don't want to get to the point where I know longer feel safe in my own home - or can no longer truly trust my own clanmates….
….
Later that morning, it was then finally time for the rest of the Cardinal Nest occupants - Daisypaw, Sparrowfeather, Rosethorn, Beeflight, Hazelpaw and Eaglepaw - to leave and journey back to their well awaited home camp.
They were greeted at the camp entrance by Robin's Call and arrived just in time to see Blueflower storm out of camp in a huff - reminding Hazelpaw quite like Lilacpaw - presumably after arguing with Tigereye again.
Robin's Call sighed and rolled her eyes before enthusiastically ushering the small patrol. "Gree-ay-tings ev-ay-one! Ay most relieved ay all alright. Come ay make 'orselves comft-ay-ble inside ay camp." The russet furred deputy flicked her tail inside. "End just oh oo know-ay." She said in a whisper, "Dove-ay-star knows-ay every-ay-thing about ay…er…incident-ay but 'as not-ay told ee 'ole clan-ay yet. Ay simpl-ay think that ay Spider-ay-streak 'twas ill. She will tell-ay all next-ay sun-up-ay, in clan meeting-ay."
Most of the patrol grunted an acknowledgement and promised not to tell any cat exactly what happened until Dovestar announced it at next sun-up's morning clan meeting. Hazelpaw couldn't help feeling relieved that she wouldn't have to discuss the events with any cats desperate for gossip – at least not until the next morning.
The patrol then filed into the camp, but Robin's Call kept Hazelpaw back and, quite surprisingly, told Hazelpaw that there was a messenger Tribe cat waiting to speak with her on the BrightClan border. Apparently her father had also somehow already heard of the news.
As Hazelpaw hurriedly padded closer to the border, she recognized the cat as one of the messenger cats; a young light grey tom with darker mottled flecks called, Wing of Speeding Hawk. The young PineClan apprentice quickly sped up her pace to meet with him.
"Greetings young Hazel which Shelters Warrior," he said with a polite dip of his head. "Greetings to you too Wing," Hazelpaw replied. She bit back a sigh. "What does my father have to say now?"
Wing grinned, his amber eyes twinkling knowingly. "Well, let's just say your father has certainly heard about both murders. He is not happy." The mottled grey tom cleared his throat.
"I quote, 'Another murder?! Another murder? Another one for Toeh's sake! And Hazel got all mixed up in it again? How does she find these things? It's that friend of hers, Daisypaw. I do not like her. Wing, I want you to let her know that I do not approve of that friend of her's. You hear me? I do not like this….this Daisypaw or all these murders. I want her safe! I changed my mind. Tell her that I will definitely be coming to the next Gathering with the clan season celebration traditions in order to keep her out of trouble. You have that Wing? Make sure she knows this.'"
The speckled grey tom grinned. "As of now I am currently letting you know this."
Hazelpaw rolled her eyes and couldn't help letting out a soft groan. Even though she did miss her father and family, the very thought of him suddenly showing up, no doubt with an ostentatious amount of cats in his patrol, fussing over her, not only in front PineClan, but in front of all clans at a gathering no less, made her stomach lurch.
"Tell him no, Wing." Began Hazelpaw emphatically. "Tell him that I'm absolutely fine and completely safe and certainly am not in need for him to come down for the gathering of all times."
"Ah, well I shall certainly try, young Hazel." Said Wing with a sympathetic nod. "But you of all cats should know that once your father has made up his mind that no one, even the tribe of your ancestors above, could make him change it."
Unfortunately, I do know that.
Hazelpaw gave her head a sharp shake and blew out another sigh, not entirely in the mood to be dealing with this sort of situation. "Just try your best Wing. Thank you." Said the grey she cat before bidding the speckled grey messenger farewell.
Hazelpaw had barely returned to camp once more when Beeflight quickly rushed up to tell both her and Daisypaw that Gorsestep was indeed waiting outside to talk to them. The yellow she cat excitedly, yet covertly - well aware that Sparrowfeather among warriors was still not very fond of the Clan Guard - pointed him out with her tail before wishing them well. Hazelpaw's brown eyes meet Daisypaw's blue, seeing her own excitement, curiosity and apprehension reflected in them, before the two apprentices hurried outside.
There sitting up straight, yet relaxed, was the dark brown tabby form of Gorsestep. He greeted the two detectives with a friendly blink of his dark amber eyes before gesturing with his tail for them to walk with him. There was a pause as the three cats strolled beneath the thick coverage of the pine trees and past Great Oak, a stiff breeze ruffling their pelts. At last the deputy Guard cleared his throat.
"Mudpaw has officially confessed."
Hazelpaw gave a sharp intake of breath. It was what the grey she cat had been waiting for, but all the same it still gave her a horrible jolt. Hazelpaw ended up stumbling on some tree roots and Daisypaw had to catch her.
"He is, of course, currently being held in the Clan Guard camp awaiting his appearance in the Court of the Clans." Continued Gorsestep after a heartbeat. "But because he's only an apprentice, he is less likely to be fully demoted and exiled and he certainly won't be facing execution."
Hazelpaw blinked, suddenly feeling quite dizzy with relief. The grey she cat realised that, although she hadn't yet forgiven Mudpaw for what he'd done, she was still very glad that even though he was still paying for what he did, the punishment wouldn't be nearly as severe as it could have been.
And StarClan, I certainly didn't want Mudpaw to be executed for it.
"Oh," said Daisypaw with a simple nod as if she had just been told it would be cloudy tomorrow. "I see. And I suppose you've taken all the credit again?" She asked, the cream she cat's nonchalant demeanour contrasted with her narrowed blue eyes.
"What do you take me for Madame Daisypaw?" Laughed Gorsestep, meeting the detective's gaze. "There was even a line in my official debriefing session in which I stated 'Acting on tip-off from 3rd Seasoner apprentices Daisypaw and Hazelpaw, I arrested Mudpaw and solved the case.'" Said the dark brown tabby tom with a twitch of his whiskers.
Daisypaw's blue eyes lit up. "Really?"
"No, not really." Spoke up Hazelpaw, coming back to herself with effort. She noticed the twinkle in the deputy's amber gaze. "It's a joke," the grey she cat explained, forcing out a weak purr.
"No, not really," echoed Gorsestep, blinking his amber eyes slowly, "but I did mention both of you although not by name. I assure you though, I've credited you as far as I can."
The trio of cats reached the area near the Old Hollow Log before turning around and beginning to head back towards camp. Glancing at the dark brown tabby, Hazelpaw noticed Gorsestep looking intently upon the two apprentices.
"You must understand," continued the deputy Guard, "that I am extremely grateful. You saved me from making an enormous and costly mistake. Arresting Sparrowfeather of PineClan - a noble and respected senior warrior-" Gorsestep broke off shaking his head, "I would have never heard the end of it!"
Daisypaw met Hazelpaw's gaze with a delighted and proud grin which the grey she cat couldn't help returning.
"I think we deserve medals!" Declared the cream she cat.
"Well, as it happens," said Gorsestep as the three cats were once more in sight of the Great Oak, "I do have a little something for you as a token of my utmost gratitude."
The dark brown tabby strode ahead of the detectives and retrieved a green leaf parcel between his jaws from the roots of Great Oak, before presenting the parcel to Daisypaw with dramatic flourish.
"Very fitting, I do believe, for two clever detectives who deserve an award. I hope you enjoy." Said Gorsestep before giving a slight bow in what Hazelpaw was sure was mock solemnity. Daisypaw, however, was simply too delighted to notice, her blue eyes absolutely lighting up with joy. Hazelpaw let out a purr.
"Now I must go. Keep up the good work. You really do have a most successful Detective Society." Said Gorsestep, dipping his head to both she cats in farewell before departing.
Hazelpaw thought the deputy Guard had been joking again about the prospect of medals in the leaf parcel. But when the two apprentices had settled in the quiet of their den, Daisypaw scrambled to shake the parcel open, and to Hazelpaw's surprise, out fell four small, shiny, green maple leaves - miniature Clan Guard detective badges.
There was a cry of absolute delight from Daisypaw before she quickly fixed the badge onto her chest fur, the cream she cat giving a pleased wink at her best friend.
"Now we really are proper detectives," Said Daisypaw with a sigh of happiness.
Hazelpaw felt her own lips turn upwards in a grin as she went to do the same with her own badge, but movement near the den entrance caused the grey she cat to freeze. She turned to see the form of Eaglepaw quietly standing there, his gaze was fixed intently on Daisypaw and her badge yet his face quite blank and expressionless. Then he abruptly turned away with a sharp lash of his tail and strolled off.
Mudpaw's not the only one who's having to pay for what he did…..
Hazelpaw looked down despondently at her badge. It no longer seemed so brilliant and shiny and a representation of pride, but rather of sadness and tragedy. She couldn't quite bring herself to wear it now. The grey she cat wordlessly stuffed it under the bottom of her nest. And feeling emotions, which had thought she had managed to quash, suddenly threatening to flood her, Hazelpaw ran out of the den; deaf to Daisypaw's cries of surprise and concern.
….
Hazelpaw paused for breath on her haunches, gazing dully around camp. The grey she cat barely took in the unusually high activity and hustle and bustle, except for absent mindedly noticing a serious faced and slightly nervous looking Falconflight saying something to Dovestar, who in turn seemed quite startled yet curious, before beckoning the yellow warrior into her den.
"Hazelpaw! There you are."
The grey apprentice twitched an ear at the call before turning to face none other than the dark ginger form of Oakbranch. The ginger elder padded over a few tail lengths to the side of the elders' den near where Hazelpaw was sitting, blinking her amber eyes warmly in greeting. Hazelpaw returned the gesture automatically, her throat closing up at the relief of seeing another familiar and comforting face. One, whom she realised now, she had missed dearly.
Oakbranch sat down tall on her haunches, letting out a breath. "I've been looking for you everywhere ever since I heard you had returned home." Said the ginger elder. "I was privy to know exactly what happened. I believe it would be a good idea for you, Daisypaw and I to talk- Hazelpaw? Hazelpaw...are you okay?"
Hazelpaw blinked up at the ginger she cat to see her face creased with concern; mouth in a frown. The grey she cat nodded her head mutely, moving across to Oakbranch to give her an affectionate head butt, only to end up burying her face in her shoulder instead; holding on to the ginger she cat tightly for comfort.
The grey she cat felt Oakbranch curl her tail around her and lick the top of her head soothingly. "I know." She spoke softly. "Trust me, I know how it feels. It may take a bit. But, the wounds will heal."
"I know you do Oakbranch," said Hazelpaw, finally finding her voice, albeit slightly wobbly, "and thank you. But it's not just that I don't know-" The grey she cat broke off sobbing into Oakbranch's shoulder, all built up emotions finally overflowing. And yet as Oakbranch held onto her tight, humming softly, Hazelpaw felt all the pent up tension, fear, terror, homesickness and stress gradually wash from her as she sobbed; like fresh, cool rain water rolling down her fur.
Reaching a small lull in sobbing, Hazelpaw could make out a rush of pawsteps behind her and a familiar voice calling, "Oh, Hazelpaw there you are! Hazelpaw? Oh, what's wrong?! What is it?!"
The grey she cat glanced behind her to see Daisypaw standing there, blue eyes wide and fur bristling slightly. Hazelpaw had never seen her friend look so distressed.
"Oh Hazelpaw what's wrong? What's wrong with her Oakbranch?!" Asked the cream she cat frantically.
"She will be okay." Hazelpaw heard Oakbranch say to Daisypaw, voice soft and reassuring. "Hazelpaw just needs to let out all the emotion which has built up most exceptionally over the last few sun-ups."
There was a pause, and Hazelpaw could imagine the sceptical frown on Daisypaw's face as she processed Oakbranch's explanation. There was suddenly a low growl of outrage from the cream she cat and Hazelpaw could almost sense her friend's blue eyes lighting with fury.
"Oh it's Mud- it's because of him! It's him isn't it Hazelpaw? Hissed Daisypaw. "Oh I could just- just strangle him for this! How dare he!"
"No, no it really isn't," spoke up Hazelpaw, shaking her head even though her friend couldn't see it. "It's just…..."
"Shhh." The grey she cat heard Oakbranch say, after she trailed off. Hazelpaw felt the ginger elder's tail move presumably to help calm Daisypaw. "It's not just any cat Daisypaw, but the situation as well, and processing all the emotion." Oakbranch explained.
"So she's okay?" Asked Daisypaw, no longer sounding furious, but still a little doubtful.
"She will be." Answered Oakbranch. "It's a very good thing for her to do this or else it would just begin to fester inside of her like an infected wound."
Hazelpaw glanced again at her friend and stifled a purr as she took in the sight of Daisypaw's face; a comical mixture of worry and utter confusion as if she didn't understand a word Oakbranch was saying.
"It's okay, I feel much better now." Spoke up Hazelpaw, blowing out a sigh before taking a step back. "Thank you Oakbranch." She said, blinking her brown eyes gratefully at the elder.
"You are welcome." Replied the ginger she cat warmly with a purr. "Remember, I am always here if you want to come talk to me. Now, why don't you two she cats go and make yourselves useful around camp. I know immersing myself in clan life is something that helped me immensely to process the events of the beginning of this season and everything I had to deal with before that." Oakbranch's gaze ran over the cats bustling around camp, a fond twinkle in her eye. "It's always a good idea to remember just who you are protecting and who to be thankful for."
"Yes Oakbranch." Said Daisypaw seeming not as annoyed as usual at the prospect of often tedious camp chores, but rather relieved that Hazelpaw had stopped crying. The grey she cat met her friend's gaze blinking, her heart feeling warmed.
"Off you go then." Said Oakbranch with a purr. "I'll see you two later." Daisypaw quickly scampered off, Hazelpaw turning to follow, when she heard Oakbranch speak up once more. "Just remember Hazelpaw. You did what I couldn't do. You are much braver than you realise."
The grey she cat blinked, not sure what to say but certainly touched by those words. She simply dipped her head to the ginger elder before quickly running off after Daisypaw.
The two she cats spent a quiet rest of the day helping with camp chores such as changing bedding, cleaning and helping in the nursery - even kit-sitting - and helping Minty. While away, Ravenwhisker had taken over watching the medicine cat den and caring for Talltree and thankfully, over the last few sun-ups she had made a significant advancement in her health.
"Thank you, Hazelpaw." Said Talltree with a grateful purr after the grey she cat had finished changing her nest. Hazelpaw was pleased to hear that there was now no hint of a rasping hoarseness in her voice. The black she cat sat up straight on her haunches, fur sleek and groomed and although tired, her greens were brighter and no longer dull.
"See Beanpaw," spoke Mintpelt with a purr of her own. She turned towards the black apprentice who was pressed right up against the side of her mother. "I told you we were doing everything we could and that Talltree was indeed slowly getting better. And of course, her being in the care of a senior medicine cat for the last few sun-ups seems to have made all the difference!"
"Nonsense," said Ravenwhisker with a snort, "it was your idea, Mintpelt, to try a vigorous new treatment plan with borage, feverfew and lavender and to even try drinking the herbs in water. It's thanks to you she's improved."
"If you say so," said Mintpelt, green eyes twinkling, but Hazelpaw could tell she appreciated the praise from her mentor.
Ravenwhisker let out a grunt. "I know so." He muttered. He swept away the herbs he was organising away into the herb den with his tail. "Now, to more important matters," he continued briskly, "have you spoken to him?"
Hazelpaw saw Mintpelt blink at the elderly medicine cat before lowering her gaze and letting out a sigh. "Not yet." She muttered. "I've been busy."
"Ah," said Ravenwhisker with a seemingly knowing smirk. "Avoiding him more like."
At Mintpelt's indignant huff the black tom touched his tail to her shoulder. "Off you go then," he prompted surprisingly gentle.
The black and white medicine cat blew out a small sigh before straightening up and exiting the den.
Hazelpaw watched her go, figuring she may be going to sort out the, now in hindsight, rather awkward situation with Falconflight. The grey she cat sighed at the pang of her first reminder of the horrible celebration events since this morning.
I wonder how many repercussions, seen and unseen, there will be as a result of this celebration's tragic events. How many relationships will be weakened, strengthened, broken or otherwise irreversibly changed, for better or for worse?
Suddenly the grey she cat's pelt prickled as she felt eyes boring into her fur. She turned her head to come face to face with the piercing amber gaze of Ravenwhisker. Hazelpaw couldn't help gulping nervously. It was her first time alone with him ever since he delivered her that fateful warning.
Does he blame me for not doing anything in time to stop the tragic events after receiving it?
A heartbeat of awkward silence passed as the two cats simply stared at each other, before Ravenwhisker blinked his amber eyes slowly at Hazelpaw.
"Chin up young warrior," he murmured to her before dipping his head, "you did well."
Hazelpaw could only blink, utterly surprised and speechless, before dipping her head also. This was followed by, what Hazelpaw swore, was a pleased grunt from Ravenwhisker before he abruptly brushed past her and left the medicine cat den as if nothing had happened. Hazelpaw stared after him, not completely sure what to make of that little scene.
But I hope this means he at least has more respect for me now.
Hazelpaw herself soon left the medicine cat den as well with a parting glance over her shoulder at the now sleeping Talltree and Beanpaw, curled up nice and cosy in the moss nest. Outside, the grey she let her gaze travel around the camp before resting on the forms of Dovestar and Falconflight exiting the leader's den.
The yellow tabby tom looked a bit worn out yet relieved and elevated, as if a big weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He turned around to give Dovestar a cordial farewell and - what Hazelpaw had begun to refer to as - one of his rare smiles. The silver-white she cat in turn seemed to be gazing at him with a new found sense of understanding and respect, and dipped her head to him before returning to her den.
Hazelpaw then watched Mintpelt pad up to Falconflight, pawsteps determined, yet a flicker of unease visible in her green eyes. The two cats shared a few quiet words before Falconflight followed the black and white medicine cat to a quiet corner in camp to talk, pleased to see them both - Mintpelt especially - look immensely more comfortable in each other's presence.
Well, thought Hazelpaw, perhaps some good will come out of this in that some relations will be indeed strengthened for the better. The grey she cat met her best friend's gaze from across the camp. Mine and Daisypaw's friendship certainly has.
Just before dusk the two best friends decided to head out on a small hunt to stretch their legs. Walking back to camp with their catches, the apprentices spotted none other than Sparrowfeather and Rosethorn talking quietly in the clearing in front of the Great Oak.
Hazelpaw noticed that Rosethorn sat with her shoulders slightly hunched with a regretful looking expression apparent on her face, a vast difference to her usual confident, poised and self-assured demeanour. Sparrowfeather, meanwhile, sat up straight and tall on his haunches, looking the most dignified and confident Hazelpaw had ever seen him, and although there seemed to be a slight glimmer of sadness in his amber eyes, his firm gaze showed that of determination. They sat on their haunches a few tail lengths apart from each other and although they seemed to be speaking in a courteous manner, there seemed to be a heavy air of awkwardness to it.
Much to Daisypaw's relief, her parents had begun talking again. Albeit very slowly and carefully and often about rather mundane things, but talking all the same, and Hazelpaw could tell this meant the world to Daisypaw. Neither apprentice wanted to so much as breathe in case they jinxed it. Yet Hazelpaw still had her reservations about whether Rosethorn's and Sparrowfeather's relationship really was truly on the mend. The two warriors were only ever carefully polite with each other - this current conversation, the first one of length which Hazelpaw had witnessed between the two of them - while the rest of the time, Hazelpaw wouldn't be surprised if they were purposely avoiding the other's presence, especially since arriving back at camp.
It was, quite unfortunately, clear that things had still indeed changed and may never be the same again. Events from the past few sun-ups or even past quarter moon had caused a deep rift between the two mates which seemed to have only gotten wider and wider as sun-ups past. Hazelpaw questioned if the gap was even bridgeable now.
I suppose Rosethorn too may, in a way, also have to pay for all the mistakes she had made in the last moon.
But Daisypaw, as always, seemed forever hopeful, so the grey she cat kept these thoughts to herself and simply prepared to be there for her best friend, whatever happened in the future.
The two apprentices stood at the edge of the clearing watching the other two warriors, yet not able to hear what they were saying because of the breeze. Then at last, Rosethorn spoke one last thing, in which Sparrowfeather appeared to respond with a brief nod, before the cream warrior moved quietly away, head dropping and tail hanging low. Sparrowfeather watched her go, looking tired, yet not unbeaten, and also oddly liberated, as if a large weight had been lifted off his shoulders.
The two apprentices dropped their prey and entered the clearing. "Hello, Sparrowfeather!" Greeted Daisypaw as she skipped up to the brown tom. Hazelpaw noticed his amber eyes light up upon spotting his daughter.
"Daughter!" Sparrowfeather cried back. "Daughter's friend." For a heartbeat Hazelpaw felt as if they were back in the middle of camp before the day they arrived at Cardinal Nest. Before all of the dreadful things had happened.
"We've been busy having to do boring camp chores all day. But we finally got let out to hunt." Said Daisypaw. "And now we're heading back to camp."
"I see," said Sparrowfeather with a flick of his ear. "And it's probably the best place for you to be at the moment even if it is rather boring at times. A bit of boring would properly be best for us all under the circumstances. I certainly wouldn't mind some of that at the moment." Said the brown tom glancing around with a sigh.
Daisypaw glanced up at him with worried blue eyes. "You'll be alright." She said, and Hazelpaw couldn't quite tell if the cream she cat meant as a question or not.
Sparrowfeather nodded. "I always am," he said, blinking his amber eyes gently at Daisypaw, "things seem to have a way of working out." There was a heartbeat of pause before the brown tom gingerly touched his nose to Daisypaw's.
The cream she cat purred, before all of a sudden throwing herself towards her father and snuggling into his chest affectionately, head tucked under his chin. Sparrowfeather staggered back slightly under her weight. "Steady on! Daisypaw, come now, you're far too old for this!" But Hazelpaw could hear his purring chuckles as he said this and he wrapped his tail in an embrace around Daisypaw.
"I'm glad you didn't kill anyone," whispered Daisypaw into Sparrowfeather's ear, "I'm glad you're a good cat."
"So am I," said the brown tom. "It's a terrible relief, I can tell you!" Continued Sparrowfeather as he put Daisypaw back down. He shook his head emphatically. "Do you know, I started to wonder if I had ill-wished Spiderstreak dead?"
Daisypaw burst out laughing. "Silly Sparrowfeather! As if you could."
"And you could?" Asked her father.
"I," began Daisypaw, drawing herself up straight and tilting her chin up proudly, "can do anything. And even though she doesn't like to mention it, so can Hazelpaw."
The grey she cat saw her best friend grinning at her and after a heart beat couldn't help returning a smile. Sparrowfeather gave a low purr before dipping his head in farewell to both she cats and padding out from the clearing.
"Good old Hazelpaw." Said Daisypaw as she moved back to her best friend's side. She entwined her tail with Hazelpaw's and squeezed it. "I'm really glad you've been here these celebrations." Whispered Daisypaw in her ear. "Don't tell anyone, but it would have been awful without you."
Hazelpaw felt a purr rumble in her chest. "You too," she whispered back. And right then and there, the grey she cat decided that being friends with Daisypaw was worth all the murders in the world.
"Flower and Leaf forever," said Daisypaw, placing her paw out on the ground.
"Flower and Leaf forever," agreed Hazelpaw, repeating the gesture.
And as the grey she cat sat there in the clearing, her paw placed firmly on top of Daisypaw's, Hazelpaw finally felt happy again at last.
…...…
It was night time and the five denmates were settling in their nests. Lilypaw and Lilacpaw, meanwhile, were catching up on their bickering and currently arguing about who had the better celebrations.
"But Cardinal Nest was absolutely gorgeous!" Said Lilypaw with a flick of her tail. "At least initially, anyway, before the ah, oh-"
"Huh, you mean the rain?" Finished Lilacpaw for her as she busily groomed her tangled fur in her nest, not noticing her denmate's blunder or Daisypaw's harsh glare at the white she cat. Lilacpaw gave a snort. "As if that counts for anything when the rain did start. It would have made being in Cardinal Nest awful, unless, of course," said the tabby she cat with a smirk, "the flooded lake was gorgeous too."
"Well at least we were dry inside Cardinal Nest when the rain came," retorted Lilypaw. "What did you spend your celebrations doing? Wandering around the same old pine forest bored out of your mind and soaking wet? Great fun that, I can imagine."
"Boring! Hardly." Said Lilacpaw, sitting up in her nest and looking rather smug. "I'll tell you that my celebrations were most certainly very lovely and not boring in the slightest! Why my parents made every effort to spend as much time with me as possible, taking me out for strolls, hunting, lounging around in the Warriors grass-lay place like a proper grown up warrior. Not like your, what was it, apprentice's meal you had." Lilacpaw said with a smirk. Lilypaw simply narrowed her eyes and gave a small huff.
Her brown tabby denmate ignored her. "Blueflower did all that with me and Tigereye also took me hunting and did some one on one combat practice with me." Finished Lilacpaw triumphantly, eyes absolutely shining.
Hazelpaw looked at her denmate and couldn't help feeling surprised, yet relieved and pleased for Lilacpaw that her celebrations had turned out well despite her own parents bickering.
"My goodness I was almost busier than if we had training!" Remarked the tabby she cat again, tail curled in delight. "As if I was bored!"
"Well, I'm not sure that's quite the full story dear Lilacpaw." Purred a voice silkily from the den entrance. Hazelpaw looked up to see the blue furred form of Featherpaw. "You did forget mention the fact that you had to do all these things separately with each of your parents on account of Blueflower and Tigereye not being able to stand being in each other's presence. In amongst their yowling matches, which must have been rather off putting at times, I believe they were also rather busy having something of a competition of who could be the better 'celebratory parent. Hence all the activities." Said Featherpaw with a smirk.
She gave Lilacpaw a sly wink. "I must say though, it was certainly an effective method to get Tigereye to spend time with you. Getting one up on Blueflower, must have been a high incentive." Said the blue she cat in mock acclaim.
Hazelpaw couldn't help wincing at Featherpaw's blunt (and rather rude!) take on how Lilacpaw's celebrations really went. The grey she cat couldn't help feeling bad for the tabby she cat and vowed to try and make it up to her in the coming sun-ups no matter how difficult she could be.
"I don't know what in the fox dung dark forest you are meowing about!" Growled Lilacpaw sharply through clenched fangs. "And what of your parents? At least I didn't have to spend my celebrations with the likes of Silverstripe - a warrior mentor no less! - and her two little brats to boot."
Hazelpaw saw Featherpaw narrow her eyes in ire for a brief moment before simply giving a slight sniff. "Silverstripe, is perfectly lovely and a good mentor, if you must know," spoke the blue she cat haughtily, "and as for her daughters, Shimmerpaw and Glimmerpaw, they quite frankly have a lot more sense than the five of you combined!" Featherpaw declared before sauntering away.
Lilacpaw watched her go through narrow eyes before giving a disbelieving snort. "Says she who took a wander off the half bridge and fell into the lake just last sun-up." She muttered.
"Oh, did she?" Asked Lilypaw, ears perked excitedly and blue eyes filling with glee. "Oh I can't wait to ask her about that at morning-meal. It must have been hilarious!"
Lilacpaw grinned at the white she cat. "Unbelievably! Honestly, she looked like a drowned rat that had gotten stuck in a blueberry bush! Thunderboom had to go and fish her out, and I tell you, that grump was not happy at messing his fur up and in front of Riverrush no less." Said the brown tabby she cat with a mrrw of amusement.
"So, as I said, my celebrations were far from boring. Honestly, as soon as Spiderstreak fell ill, the warriors would have made such a fuss and stopped anything fun. I almost feel sorry for you."
"Oh, how kind of you." Said Lilypaw in mock gratitude. "Well, I suppose it was a bit dull at times, and the warriors, as always, were exceptional killjoys, but us apprentices managed to find an exciting way to pass the time which they didn't have to be aware of." Said the white she cat loftily with a sly wink at Daisypaw.
Hazelpaw saw the cream she cat roll her eyes back at her denmate, though a small grin pulled at the corner of her mouth. Beanpaw, who had been listening carefully to all the bickering and banter, a comical look of total concentration on her face, looked quickly back and forward between her denmates in confusion, before her green eyes lit up excitedly in recognition. Hazelpaw purred as the black she cat shot Daisypaw a proud - yet rather obvious - grin of her own, before Lilypaw nudged her warningly. Lilacpaw's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she looked between the three denmates, but obviously decided not to mention it as she opened her mouth, instead, to give another taunt at Lilypaw.
That is, for now at least.
The two denmates continued on and Hazelpaw let out a soft purr as she relished the melody of her friends' banter, along with the familiar stern voice of Riverrush, scolding them to be quiet, the familiarity drifting over her like a comforting lick from a mother's tongue.
Great StarClan, I didn't think I'd miss Riverrush of all cats!
As they finally settled in their nests for the night, Hazelpaw felt Daisypaw come into hers. Through the dim light she could just make out the glimmer of blue as the cream she cat rolled her eyes and gave a dramatic sigh. "And here we go again Hazelpaw!" She hissed in her ear. "Endless bickering, snotty 1st Seasoners, grouchy warrior mentors, endless training and no murder anywhere and- Why are you smiling Hazelpaw?"
"No reason," the grey she cat whispered back.
And just like that, Hazelpaw didn't feel homesick anymore.
.
The End
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And TA-DA! In case you can't tell, I'm quite happy with how this epilogue turned out. Phew, long though! Hello everyone, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the end of this book! A few things I want to say, firstly we see Gorsey again and find out Mudpaw's sentence which yes will be nowhere as bad as Ashstar's and I kinda have it in my mind that he'll still be considered a clan cat to some degree but be kept in the Clan Guard camp for a decent amount of time…so like kitty jail, or kitty juvie. Yes I added an Oakbranch bit because she is my fav character! Yay like except for the protags and everyone else. And I think Hazelpaw badly needed a heart to heart with someone. Mentions of Falcon and Dove talking were most likely him telling her about his actual occupation. Look a flying hedgehog! Ravenwhisker was actually nice to Hazelpaw! And then we come to Sparrow and Rose. Well, they are sort of talking and yet Hazelpaw doesn't hold much hope. Rosethorn definitely seems to be finally feeling the consequences for all her actions, but you can take that conversation as you want to. I probs don't have it that they've split up officially or anything. Maybe just a separation or something perhaps? It's sort of a have to wait and see thing so if/when I write a third book I'll definitely state whether they are together or not. Anyway, I hope everyone likes how things tied up in the end.
And now I just want to say a big as thank you to all who have read my story as well as followed, favourited and reviewed! Thank you all sooo much for your lovely and supportive comments and I really enjoyed reading all your theories. And now time to roll the credits!
Thank You To All Who Favourited My Story
Shout out to: Always-Snowy, BitterSweetsx, FrostedShadowx, Hissing Mist, Scourge13, popmordiscos1
Thank You To All Who Followed My Story
Shout out to: Always-Snowy, Beetlefur, BitterSweetsx, FrostedShadowx, Hissing Mist, Scourge13, popmordiscos1
And A Big Thank You To All Who Reviewed – Thank You So Much For Your Support
Shout out to: Hissing Mist, FrostedShadowx, SienaStyle, Guest(1), MEEP (guest), Always-Snowy, Scourge13, Guest(2), thephantomreader (guest), noobiekatz (guest), AwesomeIvystar (guest), Beetlefur
Special thanks to Hissing Mist for reviewing on every chapter :.)
And Last, Massive Thank You To Everyone Who Read My Story Each Week
As of now I have made it 3,116 views (and counting). Thank you so much!
And now the end has come again. I hope you all enjoyed. At the moment I plan to try and finish up the next four or so one shots I've got on the go, including the gathering one I promised a while back. After that I do plan on taking something of a hiatus for a little while, while I consider beginning on another project. I do really want to write a third book in this series and have ideas, but I probably wouldn't start writing until at least next year…so it might be a while. But take care everyone and until next time, this is
-Fastbreeze37 (Seven)
Signing out! ;.)